How Sesame Street Changed Your Organization...

With Sesame Street turning 40 this week, it really got me thinking about the lessons and characters I grew up with watching this iconic show.  As I thought about it, I began to connect people in my own organization and how Sesame Street is really just a snap shot of our own professional lives.
 
So, here’s my Sesame Street view of Corporate America: 

CEO = Big Bird - this was actually a tough one to select, because Big Bird isn’t the leader we think of when we think of iconic leaders – but in the end Big Bird is Sesame Street – just like Steve Jobs is Apple.
 
COO = Bert – He was always the conservative one, who was trying to get things done, while Ernie was trying to have a good time.
 
CFO = Count von Count - the Count was probably the easiest choice of all!
 
CPO = Ernie – this was by far the most controversial selection – could have went with Oscar (boy my operation partners would agree with that! But, to me Ernie was the perfect partner for Bert (our COO) – so to make the perfect marriage with Operations and HR – I decided on Ernie.  Influence goes a long way with a CPO, and Ernie has tons of influence with Bert.
 
CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) = Aloysius Snuffleupagus (Snuffy) Think about it - who did Big Bird always go to for advice – Oscar was also a potential for this one.
 
VP of Sales = Cookie Monster – You need someone who is internally motivated, and my boy Cookie is a self-directed monster when it comes to getting cookies – I’m sure he’ll be the same way in bringing in sales!
 
Executive Admin to CEO = Oscar the Grouch – I really don’t blame them for being grouchy, they have a tough job. So many people want a piece of the CEO’s time, and it is their job to control the crowd – but they are still grouchy!
 
Head of Legal = Telly – Ok, for those who can’t remember, Telly the Monster is the one who was always worrying.  So this fits.

And it gets tougher – I still have two Iconic Sesame Street Characters to decide on – Elmo and Grover…

CIO = Grover – Shy, but confident – Grover went about doing his business kind of in the background.  No need to be noticed, just getting things done – that’s how I like my IT people as well!  

Ah, Elmo, what can we do with our little carefree, energetic, naïve red monster? 

Head of R&D = Elmo – He is probably the most inquisitive of all the Sesame Street characters and is always trying to learn.  So, tickle me silly – Elmo is leading our R&D department (Mr. Noodle was also in the running – but he’s a real person so I passed).

Throughout 40 years, Sesame Street has brought us a ton of characters, so I’m sure I missed a few – send a comment if I missed one of your favorites or got one wrong in your mind.

Editor's Note: Tim Sackett, SPHR is the Executive Vice President of HRU Technical Resources in Lansing, MI. Tim loves everything talent acquisition, and believes every corporate recruitment department in America can and must get better.  He has 15+ years of human resource leadership experience, across multiple industries, on both the corporate and agency side – so he gets it from both sides of the desk.  Want more?  Um, OK... He has a Master’s of HR and....well, he was recently voted #5 best assistant little league coach of his son’s five team league.

Comments

[Kevin W. Grossman]

Excellent! Although Kermit would be my choice for CPO. The consummate diplomat to connect all divisions together with the right talent! (The Muppet Show evolution)

[David Manaster]

Cookie Monster for president!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqz9ZXUoUcE

[Matt Duren]

When selecting "Snuffy" as the Chief Strategy Officer, did you take into account the fact that most members of Sesame Street couldn't actually see him? Nor did they believe in his existence. For the longest time, Big Bird was the only one who interacted with him. Hmmmm...

[Tim Sackett]

Kevin - I love Kermit, and originally thought of him as CEO - but realized he, like Ms. Piggy, were more Muppet characters, than Sesame Street characters - even though they got their start on the street!

David - Love the video, and wouldn't we all love to have Cookie leading us!

Matt - I take into account the "make believe" nature of Snuffy - which made him even better as CSO! CSO's have the best job in the world - and sometimes I feel they're probably a little make believe in all of them.

Thanks for the comments -
Tim

[twitter.com/femelmed]

how about zoe as director of diversity? she speaks well about same and different: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfmcAYuAj8

[Trish McFarlane]

Tim,
I think Sesame Street did a good job of using characters so that every child can relate to one or another. I wrote a similar post and I chose Kermit as my HR Manager. Love that you have the entire company Sesame Street style. Here's my post in case you care to check it out. http://hrringleader.com/2009/06/08/hr-leadership-sesame-street-style-which-hr-manager-would-you-choose/

Trish

[Dawn Hrdlica]

Hey Tim!
What about the YIP YIPS. They gotta be old school managers trying to connect with new school employees. I know you remember the yip yips---martians who had the encounter with the telephone. Check this link out to refresh your memory.

http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=videoPlayer_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_videoListId=1169

[Benjamin McCall]

Love it!